Slache Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 (edited) Our washing machine stops and when we open it to see what's happening it smells like sewage. I assume that the pipes are backing up into the washing machine and its actual sewage. Please tell me I'm wrong. The maintenance man has looked at it and says there's nothing wrong with it. It only happens every few loads. Update in post 10, 15. :willy_nilly: Edited July 21, 2016 by Slache Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 You haven't run hive approved cleaning products through it! I kid :D I'm sorry you're struggling with nasty sewage smell and all I could guess is something not venting properly in the pipe or waxy buildup. Does it smell more like human waste or sulphurous? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shred Betty Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 Have you cleaned your septic screen? I just found out how to clean my septic screen last week. Septic guy said " it could back up usually thru laundry pipe if you don't spray them off annually." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 You haven't run hive approved cleaning products through it! I kid :D I'm sorry you're struggling with nasty sewage smell and all I could guess is something not venting properly in the pipe or waxy buildup. Does it smell more like human waste or sulphurous? Human waste. Have you cleaned your septic screen? I just found out how to clean my septic screen last week. Septic guy said " it could back up usually thru laundry pipe if you don't spray them off annually."We live in an apartment and I don't know what this is. We don't have a septic tank. I assume that's irrelevant? Thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 If you live in an apartment, and the machine has been checked out, you need to call your landlord. Sounds like it is the pipes, not your machine. It is just that the washing machine dumps more water, faster, than say the toilet or sink. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 maybe some kind of user end error :lol: :lol: Totally kidding. I really don't know! That is really weird! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 I'm far, far from an expert so take this FWIW -- I seem to recall in researching various plumbing issues that some pipes have some sort of check valve that's supposed to prevent odors from wafting back up. Those check valves can go bad or malfunction. And that's the extent of my knowledge. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 If it's a front loader, it probably has a filter. If we don't clean our filter, it starts smelling like sewage. It's really gross. It could be around the seal too, I think. Think of the sludge that builds up in a bathroom sink drain--hair, slime, nastiness. That's what your filter gets like if you don't clean it often enough. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 That smell wouldn't be improperly ventilated pipes - I'd look into another drain backing up into the sewer pipe like a toilet. A blockage down the line would back up or vent into the nearest appliance to the end of the line, I'd think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 The smell is now emitting from both bathrooms. I fear what the next step is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyhwkmama Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 Definitely need to call your landlord. ASAP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 Definitely need to call your landlord. ASAP.HE'S BUSY! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyhwkmama Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 I would say that raw sewage issues override almost any plans. Be persistent. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 I would say that raw sewage issues override almost any plans. Be persistent. He doesn't get it. I've been calling him for 3 days. He's supposed to be here today by 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 He left. He ran half a cycle and nothing happened so he said nothing is wrong. He told me to clean the washing machine. What do I do? Run 8 gallons of draino down the drain? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 He left. He ran half a cycle and nothing happened so he said nothing is wrong. He told me to clean the washing machine. What do I do? Run 8 gallons of draino down the drain? I'd report it to the health department, honestly. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyhwkmama Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 Agree with Katie. In the meantime I would run a load or two of strong bleach water through your machine. You should also be absolutely sure to wash your hands with soap and water every time you move wet laundry to the dryer because of e coli. Any chance you can move in the future? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 I'd report it to the health department, honestly.What would happen if I did that? They don't mean any harm, they just don't get it. They think it's the washing machine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 Agree with Katie. In the meantime I would run a load or two of strong bleach water through your machine. You should also be absolutely sure to wash your hands with soap and water every time you move wet laundry to the dryer because of e coli. Any chance you can move in the future? We moved in a month ago and have no money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjffkj Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 What would happen if I did that? They don't mean any harm, they just don't get it. They think it's the washing machine. Call a plumber to check it out. deal with trying to get reimbursed if plumber finds something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 Call a plumber to check it out. deal with trying to get reimbursed if plumber finds something That could be $100s and we literally don't have it. We're running the washing machine trying to cause it so he can run back and see that we're telling the truth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 Can the man who came out to check the washing machine give you a note saying it is fine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 Can the man who came out to check the washing machine give you a note saying it is fine? Why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyhwkmama Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 If it gets worse and he refuses to do anything, your local or state HUD office might be able to help you get some resolution. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 Any thoughts on the draino? I know it's terrible for the pipes but I'm really only thinking about myself right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scholastica Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 It could be that one of your traps is dried out or not functioning properly. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 Why? Well, if the landlord is saying it is the washing machine, but the washing machine has been checked out by a professional, that seems to say it must be something else. Maybe then he'd look for another problem. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 Any thoughts on the draino? I know it's terrible for the pipes but I'm really only thinking about myself right now. a couple of questions. 1. Did the machine come with the rental or is the machine yours that you moved with you? 2. Did they check the pipes in the bathroom since you said the smell was coming from there now too? 3. Are you in a house or an apartment? I think I missed that? In apartments sometimes plumbing smell can be coming for other apartments. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted July 22, 2016 Author Share Posted July 22, 2016 a couple of questions. 1. Did the machine come with the rental or is the machine yours that you moved with you? 2. Did they check the pipes in the bathroom since you said the smell was coming from there now too? 3. Are you in a house or an apartment? I think I missed that? In apartments sometimes plumbing smell can be coming for other apartments. 1. It's the apartment's. 2. No. 3. Apartment. Where would the smell be coming from? Our drains? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 1. It's the apartment's. 2. No. 3. Apartment. Where would the smell be coming from? Our drains? They need to fully investigate the new issue. I'm not an apartment plumbing expert but the system generally connects units. I once lived in an apartment where an overflow from the bathroom upstairs would back into my bathroom. Another place any bathroom odors from the other unit would waft into my bathroom from the pipes. Lovely. If it's their washer, they shouldn't be relying on you to fix the washer. It's stopping and there's a smell. They need to get on it. You can all the local renters association to see what your rights are in your area if they don't get a move on it. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted July 22, 2016 Author Share Posted July 22, 2016 (edited) Another place any bathroom odors from the other unit would waft into my bathroom from the pipes. Is there a way to prevent this? Edited July 22, 2016 by Slache Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodhaven Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 I would purchase Drano - in a jell form and pour it down the drains in the house. Follow the instructions and wait the appropriate amount of time and do it another few times. Then I'd find something that you can put down toilets to unclog drains. I'd give it a little time between applications to make sure it wasn't coming back up, but Drano has worked wonders for us. It's pretty cheap, too. I wish you the best, it sounds nasty. Too bad your landlord is clueless. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 Our washer drains into a pipe through a little drain slot in the wall--it's very accessible and visible. I can totally imagine that smelling for some reason (our bathroom sink drain smells at the drop of a hat). If you can get to the drain, you might pour some bleach into it and let is sit for a while. That's what we do with our sink. I would have sworn our sink had something backing up into it, and it was just normal gunk build-up. We have to bleach it monthly (at least in the summer). We've had no other sink do that before, and it's a brand new sink and brand new plumbing (and our plumbers are truly excellent). Honestly, about half of our home ownership tasks have been tracking down disgusting smells, and half the time they are not what you'd think they'd be. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 A splash of bleach down sink drains works for us to eliminate stinky drains, but that's just stinky drain/trap sludge/bacteria .. . In your situation, I'd send strong bleach solution (50/50 bleach and water) down all accessible drains. A cup or two in sinks, a quart in showers/tubs . .. Flush them with plenty of water (say 30 seconds) FIRST, then pour down the bleach solution, then let it sit for at least 20 minutes (I usually leave mine for at least an hour or two). Personally, I always splash a little clear water down the sink/shower drains right away (just a cup or so) to minimize the chance of harming finishes, but I've never seen damages from the bleach. I'd also do a HOT water load on the longest, hottest cycle with LOTS of bleach (and maybe one or two clean but old "dog towels" just for more agitation). Like a quart or more bleach (diluted in a gallon or two of water and added right to the drum, along with however much bleach fits in your bleach dispenser). If it's a top loader, you can also add more bleach as the cycle progresses through it's various rinse cycles. After doing the bleach load, I'd do a similar load with white vinegar. Anyway, after you hammer all the drains with plenty of bleach, if that doesn't fix your problem, I'd probably try the Drano route since your landlord hasn't been responsive. If it were MY house, I wouldn't do the drano (we have septic, and I own the pipes, lol), but instead I'd call a plumber to figure it out . . . I'm sorry your landlord is being such a putz. If you don't already have "renter's insurance", I'd get it NOW (it's cheap!) to insure your possessions in case of a sewage back up!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 A splash of bleach down sink drains works for us to eliminate stinky drains, but that's just stinky drain/trap sludge/bacteria .. . In your situation, I'd send strong bleach solution (50/50 bleach and water) down all accessible drains. A cup or two in sinks, a quart in showers/tubs . .. Flush them with plenty of water (say 30 seconds) FIRST, then pour down the bleach solution, then let it sit for at least 20 minutes (I usually leave mine for at least an hour or two). Personally, I always splash a little clear water down the sink/shower drains right away (just a cup or so) to minimize the chance of harming finishes, but I've never seen damages from the bleach. I'd also do a HOT water load on the longest, hottest cycle with LOTS of bleach (and maybe one or two clean but old "dog towels" just for more agitation). Like a quart or more bleach (diluted in a gallon or two of water and added right to the drum, along with however much bleach fits in your bleach dispenser). If it's a top loader, you can also add more bleach as the cycle progresses through it's various rinse cycles. After doing the bleach load, I'd do a similar load with white vinegar. Anyway, after you hammer all the drains with plenty of bleach, if that doesn't fix your problem, I'd probably try the Drano route since your landlord hasn't been responsive. If it were MY house, I wouldn't do the drano (we have septic, and I own the pipes, lol), but instead I'd call a plumber to figure it out . . . I'm sorry your landlord is being such a putz. If you don't already have "renter's insurance", I'd get it NOW (it's cheap!) to insure your possessions in case of a sewage back up!! If you do this, use cold or warm water. Hot water will accelerate the breakdown of the bleach, rendering it useless quicker. I'd do cold water bleach soak cycle, then a hot water rinse to maximize the effectiveness of the bleach. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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